NEW YORK -� July 19, 2006 -� 'Eureka,' SCI FI's new Original Series about a secret U.S. town full of geniuses, led the cable pack and broke Channel records with its two-hour premiere last night (9-11pm). 'Eureka' is the highest rated series telecast in SCI FI Channel history. Here's the breakdown:

--3.2 HH rating and over 4 million total viewers (P2+)

--1.9 million P25-54s

--1.7 million P18-49s

Competitive Points:

--'Eureka' was the #1 cable program on Tuesday in HH ratings, total viewers (P2+), P25-54s and P18-49s

--'Eureka' beat the series premiere of ABC's 'The One: Making of a Music Star' head-to-head in Households (by +13%), total viewers P2+ (by +32%), P18-49s (by +26%) and P25-54s (by +34%)

--'Eureka' outdid a new episode of FX's Rescue Me (10pm) by +52% in HH ratings and +58% in total viewers

--'Eureka' bested the series premiere of ESPN's 'The Contender' (10pm) by +191% in HH ratings and +230% in total viewers.

--'Eureka' is the highest-rated and most-watched premiere telecast of a cable original series in Tuesday prime this year

'Eureka' is SCI FI's first scripted, Original Series launch since the premiere of the critically acclaimed 'Battlestar Galactica.' The new series is in line with SCI FI's mission to broaden the scope and appeal of the Channel. 'Eureka' is an immensely relatable, earth-based dramedy with a unique sci-fi twist. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Eureka is a small town with big secrets. Shrouded in secrecy, the picturesque hamlet is actually a community of geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research. What they've unwittingly created is a place where anything imaginable can happen...and does. 'Eureka' airs Tuesdays @ 9pm ET/PT only on SCI FI.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 85 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.